Abstract: Methods and devices for stimulating a nerve in a patient include emitting an electrical signal near a target nerve within the patient. The electrical signal comprises bursts with a frequency of 1 to 100 Hz. Each of the bursts has 2 to 20 pulses with a duration of about 50 microseconds to about 1000 microseconds.

Abstract: Methods and devices for stimulating a nerve in a patient include emitting an electrical signal near a spinal nerve within the patient such that the patient experiences at least some pain relief. The methods include varying an electric field such that burst periods and constant periods are created. The electric field has a charge that alternates between positive and negative during the burst periods and a charge with a magnitude of zero during the constant periods.

Abstract: Devices, systems and methods are disclosed for reducing inflammation associated with an aneurysm in a patient. The methods comprise transmitting impulses of energy non-invasively to selected nerve fibers, particularly those in the vagus nerve. Vagus nerve stimulation is used to modulate the release of neurotransmitters in the brain and to reduce inflammation that may lead to the formation, growth, rupture or hemorrhage of an aneurysm.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed that allow a patient to self-treat a medical condition, such as migraine headache and trigeminal neuralgia and the like, by noninvasive electrical stimulation of nerves of the head, particularly supraorbital, supratrochlear, infraorbital, and mental nerves in the vicinity of their foramen or notch. The system comprises a stimulator having one or more electrodes that apply electrical impulses transcutaneously through the patient's skin to the targeted nerve. The stimulator may be coupled to a handheld mobile device, such as a smartphone, for receiving a treatment regimen to treat the medical condition. The system is designed to address problems that arise particularly during self-treatment, when a medical professional is not present.

Abstract: Methods and devices for stimulating a nerve in a patient include emitting an electrical signal near a target nerve within the patient. The electrical signal comprises bursts of about 2 to about 20 pulses and the pulses oscillate between a positive voltage and a negative voltage within each burst.

Abstract: Devices, systems and methods are disclosed that allow a patient to self-treat a medical condition, such as migraine headache, by electrical non-invasive stimulation of a nerve, such as the vagus nerve. A nerve stimulator is configured for coupling to a mobile device configured to receive a wireless signal, such as a mobile phone. The stimulator is further configured to generate an electrical impulse and to transmit the electrical impulse through the contact surface and the outer skin surface of the patient to modulate a nerve within the patient.

Abstract: Devices, systems and methods are disclosed that allow a patient to self-treat a medical condition, such as migraine headache, by electrical non-invasive stimulation of a vagus nerve. The system comprises a handheld stimulator including a housing having a contact surface for contacting an outer skin surface of a patient. The housing is configured for attachment and electrical coupling to a mobile device configured to receive a wireless signal. An energy source is coupled to the stimulator and the mobile device. The energy source is configured to generate an electric field that transmits an electric current through the contact surface and the outer skin surface to modulate a nerve within the patient and thereby treat a medical condition of the patient.

Abstract: Devices, systems and methods are disclosed that allow a patient to self-treat a medical condition, such as migraine headache, by electrical noninvasive stimulation of a vagus nerve. The system comprises a stimulator that applies an electrical impulse transcutaneously through an outer skin surface of the patient. The electrical impulse includes pulses having a frequency of about 1 kHz to about 20 kHz. The device housing may transmit data to or from a patient interface device, such as a mobile phone or computer, relating to the stimulation parameters. The interface device in turn may communicate with a database contained within other computers, via a network or the internet.

Abstract: Devices and methods are disclosed that allow a patient to self-treat a medical condition, such as migraine headache and trigeminal neuralgia and the like, by noninvasive electrical stimulation of nerves of the head, particularly supraorbital, supratrochlear, infraorbital, and mental nerves in the vicinity of their foramen or notch. The system comprises a handheld mobile device, such as a smartphone, that is applied to the surface of the patient's head. One or more electrodes on the mobile device apply electrical impulses transcutaneously through the patient's skin to the targeted nerve to treat the medical condition. The system is designed to address problems that arise particularly during self-treatment, when a medical professional is not present.

Abstract: Devices, systems and methods for treating medical disorders, such as migraine or other primary headaches, or fibromyalgia, by noninvasive electrical stimulation of a vagus nerve, used in conjunction with the measurement of evoked potentials (EPs). The system comprises a stimulator that is applied to the surface of the patient's neck to apply electrical impulses sufficient to stimulate a cervical vagus nerve, scalp electrodes that are used to measure EPs that are evoked by that stimulation, feedback or biofeedback circuits to vary the stimulation based upon EP characteristics, and other sensory stimulation modalities that produce EPs. The system is preferably used to optimize the placement of the stimulator, to test whether a patient is a suitable candidate for treatment using vagus nerve stimulation, and to select the stimulation parameters that optimized acute or chronic treatment, e.g., by correcting an EP habituation deficit.

Abstract: Devices, systems and methods are disclosed that allow a patient to self-treat a medical condition, such as migraine headache, by electrical non-invasive stimulation of a nerve, such as the vagus nerve. A stimulator comprises a contact surface for contacting an outer skin surface of a patient and a pulse generator coupled to the contact surface. The pulse generator is configured for attachment and electrical coupling to a mobile device configured to receive a wireless signal, such as a mobile phone. The pulse generator is further configured to generate an electrical impulse and to transmit the electrical impulse through the contact surface and the outer skin surface of the patient to modulate a nerve within the patient.

Abstract: Devices, systems and methods are disclosed that allow a patient to self-treat a medical condition, such as migraine headache, by electrical non-invasive stimulation of a vagus nerve. The system comprises a handheld stimulator including a housing having a contact surface for contacting an outer skin surface of a patient. The housing is configured for attachment and electrical coupling to a mobile device configured to receive a wireless signal. An energy source is coupled to the stimulator and the mobile device. The energy source is configured to generate an electric field that transmits an electric current through the contact surface and the outer skin surface to modulate a nerve within the patient and thereby treat a medical condition of the patient.

Abstract: Devices and methods for non-invasive stimulation of nerves, such as the vagus nerve, include a housing and an electrode spaced from the housing. The electrode is configured to be positioned adjacent to, or in contact with, an outer skin surface of a patient. A source of energy is positioned within the housing and operably coupled to the electrode, either wirelessly or via a lead or other wired connection. The source of energy emits an electrical impulse to the electrode such that the electrical impulse passes through the outer skin surface of the patient to a nerve at a target region in the patient sufficient to modulate the nerve. The electrical impulse comprises bursts each with a frequency from about 1 Hz to about 100 Hz, wherein each of the bursts comprises 2 pulses to 20 pulses.

Abstract: Instrumentation for implanting a cervical disc replacement device includes cervical disc replacement trials for determining the appropriate size of replacement device to be implanted, an insertion plate for maintaining the elements of the replacement device in fixed relation to one another for simultaneous manipulation, an insertion handle for attachment to the insertion plate for manipulation of the elements, an insertion pusher for releasing the insertion handle from the insertion plate, a drill guide that cooperates with the insertion plate to guide the drilling of tap holes for bone screws to be placed through bone screw holes in the flanges of the replacement device, clips that are applied to the flanges after placement of the bone screws to resist screw backout, and a clip applicator for applying the clips to the flanges.

Abstract: A method of inserting an intervertebral disc implant into a disc space includes accessing a spinal segment having a first vertebral body, a second vertebral body and a disc space between the first and second vertebral bodies. The method includes securing a first pin to the first vertebral body and a second pin to the second vertebral body, using the first and second pins for distracting the disc space, and providing an inserter holding the intervertebral disc implant. The method also desirably includes engaging the inserter with the first and second pins, and advancing the inserter toward the disc space for inserting the intervertebral disc implant into the disc space, whereby the first and second pins align and guide the inserter toward the disc space.

Abstract: Devices, systems and methods are disclosed that allow a patient to self-treat a medical condition, such as migraine headache, by electrical noninvasive stimulation of a vagus nerve. The system comprises a handheld stimulator that is applied to the surface of the patient's neck, wherein the stimulator comprises or is joined to a smartphone. A camera of the smartphone may be used to position and reposition the stimulator to a particular location on the patient's neck. The system may also comprise a base station that is used to meter the charging of a rechargeable battery within the stimulator. The base station and stimulator transmit data to one another regarding the status of a stimulation session.

Abstract: A system includes a medical device comprising a reader and a processor, and a storage medium containing a content. The reader is configured to read the content from the storage medium such that the processor switches the medical device from a first mode to a second mode based on the content. The processor or the reader is configured to interface with the storage medium based on the processor switching the medical device from the first mode to the second mode such that the content of the storage medium is deleted or scrambled. Once the content in the storage medium is erased or scrambled, it is no longer usable by the medical device until additional content has been loaded or programmed into the storage medium.

Abstract: Methods and devices for stimulating a nerve in a patient include emitting an electrical signal near a spinal nerve within the patient such that the patient experiences at least some pain relief. The methods include varying an electric field such that burst periods and constant periods are created. The electric field has a charge that alternates between positive and negative during the burst periods and a charge with a magnitude of zero during the constant periods.

Abstract: A method of inserting an intervertebral disc implant into a disc space includes accessing a spinal segment having a first vertebral body, a second vertebral body and a disc space between the first and second vertebral bodies. The method includes securing a first pin to the first vertebral body and a second pin to the second vertebral body, using the first and second pins for distracting the disc space, and providing an inserter holding the intervertebral disc implant. The method also desirably includes engaging the inserter with the first and second pins, and advancing the inserter toward the disc space for inserting the intervertebral disc implant into the disc space, whereby the first and second pins align and guide the inserter toward the disc space.

Abstract: Instrumentation for implanting a cervical disc replacement device includes cervical disc replacement trials for determining the appropriate size of replacement device to be implanted, an insertion plate for maintaining the elements of the replacement device in fixed relation to one another for simultaneous manipulation, an insertion handle for attachment to the insertion plate for manipulation of the elements, an insertion pusher for releasing the insertion handle from the insertion plate, a drill guide that cooperates with the insertion plate to guide the drilling of tap holes for bone screws to be placed through bone screw holes in the flanges of the replacement device, clips that are applied to the flanges after placement of the bone screws to resist screw backout, and a clip applicator for applying the clips to the flanges.